During the Edo period, Kurashiki prospered as a shogunate-controlled territory, or tenryo, with a magistrate’s office established there.
The Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival is held in this historic area. In 2019, it reached its 49th year.
Kurashiki Chuodori, stretching from JR Kurashiki Station to Kurashiki City Art Museum, is the main venue. This summer festival comes alive with the “Daikan Bayashi Dance” and “OH! Daikan Bayashi Dance.”
The 2018 Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival was canceled due to the heavy rains in July 2018.
As a result, the festival held on July 20, 2019, was the first in two years.
Here’s a look at the Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival, packed with the distinctive character of Kurashiki!
The information presented was current when this article was published in July 2019. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival?
The Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival is said to have originated with the “Bon Dance Festival,” a summer festival that began in 1971 with a yagura tower erected in the plaza in front of the former city hall, where people danced in the style of a Bon festival dance.
The “Bon Dance Festival” later moved to a new venue in 1983, its 13th year, taking on its present form as a dance along the central street in front of the station. Following a public naming contest among Kurashiki residents, it was renamed the “Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival.”
“Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko,” “Chitose-raku” and “Suinkyo” are among the Kurashiki-style attractions. At night, the “Daikan Bayashi Dance” and “OH! Daikan Bayashi Dance” make this one of Kurashiki’s signature summer festivals, packed with highlights.
The 49th Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival
July 20, 2019.
Rain was a concern that day, but fortunately it held off during the day, and the festival went ahead as planned.
The “Saturday Night Market” was also held on the day of the Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival. Lanterns hung along the shopping street, and food stalls lined the road.
As evening approached, more and more people gathered.
People in yukata and visitors from overseas gathered, filling the area with excitement. It was lively and bustling!
Final selection for the 37th Kurashiki Komachi
The final selection for the 37th Kurashiki Komachi was held in the Center Court on the first floor of Ario Kurashiki, a commercial complex near JR Kurashiki Station.
The Kurashiki Komachi promote Kurashiki at a variety of events in and outside Okayama Prefecture.
Families and friends of the candidates, along with photographers, gathered, and the event was very lively.
Ten candidates made it to the final selection.
The candidates for Kurashiki Komachi looked lovely lined up in their yukata!
Three of them would be selected as Kurashiki Komachi.
The candidates introduced themselves by giving speeches in English about Kurashiki’s appeal, performing dances they excelled at, playing volleyball, and more.
The ten finalists smiled on stage and did their best to promote themselves, despite their nerves.
Rikako Kato delivered her speech clearly and confidently.
Ai Harada gave a composed, confident speech with a smile.
Drawing on her experience as a member of her school’s volleyball club, Mone Matsumoto demonstrated setting the ball.
Mari Nakahara, a member of the 36th Kurashiki Komachi, passed the Kurashiki Komachi sash to the three new members of the 37th group.
It will be exciting to see how these three newcomers grow over the coming year, promote Kurashiki’s appeal, and help bring the city to life.
Kurashiki Chuodori
The “Kurashiki Ekimae Odori,” the main venue for the dancing, was closed to traffic from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Kurashiki Chuodori, usually busy with traffic, became the venue for the dancing.
The “Suinkyo,” wearing masks of “Jiji” and “Baba,” walked around tapping children on the head with red fans.
It is said that being tapped on the head with a fan carried by a Suinkyo brings good fortune, and this is a familiar sight at Kurashiki festivals.
The Kurashiki Chitose-raku
The procession began!
The procession of the “Kurashiki Senzairaku” is a must-see.
A “senzairaku” has a drum in the center of the mikoshi (portable shrine), with pillars at its four corners supporting layers of square cushions on top.
They parade through the streets singing, using a distinctive carrying style that involves their necks.
The bearers included not only young men, but also children and women.
It was my first time seeing a “senzairaku,” but I had the feeling I’d seen one somewhere before…
It was at the Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan!
I remembered seeing a miniature display depicting the procession of the shrine’s deity during the autumn grand festival.
Comparing the miniature model with the real thing, I was once again impressed by the model’s intricate craftsmanship, while also being overwhelmed by the power of seeing the “senzairaku” in person!
The “Daikan Bayashi Dance”
At 6 p.m., the main event, the “Daikan Bayashi Dance,” began.
Groups totaling around 1,600 people began walking as they danced.
Pay attention to the lyrics of the “Daikan Bayashi Dance,” which are full of Okayama dialect expressions such as “deeree koccha” and “bokkee”!
By the way, “deeree” and “bokkee” mean “amazing!”
The dancers looked delighted to be taking part in the Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival, held for the first time in two years.
The matching happi coats, just right for a summer festival, were wonderfully colorful.
The cool, graceful yukata outfits also added a festive touch to the venue.
The dancers moving in perfect rows made a truly spectacular sight.
For about an hour, the lively procession of dancers continued.
From 7 p.m., the dancers moved on to “OH! Daikan Bayashi,” a rock-style version of “Daikan Bayashi” aimed at young people, with the hope of making the festival one that draws young people to Kurashiki from all over Japan.
Around 3,000 people in total danced their way along Kurashiki Chuodori for more than two hours.
From the Writer
In July 2019, the lively summer festival “Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival” was held for the first time in two years, and it felt as though everyday life in vibrant Kurashiki had returned.
The festival was full of Kurashiki’s distinctive charm. It was my first time attending, and I had a wonderful time!
I hope the “Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival” gave you at least a glimpse of vibrant Kurashiki today.
As of July 2019, Mabi, Kurashiki City, which suffered extensive damage in the July 2018 heavy rains, was still in the process of recovery.
I hope this conveyed even a little of the message, “Kurashiki is doing its best and moving forward with recovery.”
49th Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival Information
| Name | 49th Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival |
|---|---|
| Date | July 20, 2019 |
| Location | Kurashiki Chuodori |
| Website | 49th Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival |
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